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a re-MINDer that our Treeleaf Annual 'AT HOME' Two Day 'ALL ONLINE' ROHATSU (Buddha's Enlightenment Day) RETREAT is to be LIVE NETCAST on the weekend of Saturday & Sunday, December 7th and 8th, 2013 (though starting Friday night in some time zones). The retreat is designed to be sat in any time zone around the world through a combination of 'live-live' and 'live though recorded' segments, and one may still join the Retreat and sit-a-long at ANY AND ALL TIME after, by the real time recorded version (no different from the original!). Please have a look at the schedule on the "official" page (although the page will remain locked until near the Retreat start time) ...

We hope that all of our Ango-ers and others will find a way to sit with us. Through a combination of live and "any time" recorded segments, the retreat is designed to be sat any where, in any time zone, even days or weeks later, when you can arrange your schedule. The method is that you can do some of the portions "live" in your time zone, others in recorded form, and thus it fits everyone's time zone even if slightly out of order (no need to stay up all night to stay on "Japan Time"). In other words, sometimes we do some sections in Japan while you are asleep, but then you can do them later (while we are asleep), and some sections we are all awake to do "live" ... and it all gets done in the end. Everyone has to do their own math to figure out which portions they can do live, which they will do as a recording (and in what order).

The two days will include Zazen sitting, Kinhin, Chanting, Zazen sitting, Oryoki, Zazen sitting, Bowing, Talks, 'Samu' Work Practice, and More Zazen Sitting, as in any Soto Zen Retreat, all in celebration of the Buddha's days of Zazen and Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. Easy to follow preparations and instructions will be provided everyone in the coming weeks for establishing a retreat space in your own home, and in keeping with other responsibilities you may have (such as being a "mom" or "dad").

If you are concerned about the length of sitting, please take to heart that such retreats ... of 2 or 3 days, a week or two weeks ... are basic and highly recommended in the Zen world, undertaken by just about every Zen Sangha I know. It is a practice not to be missed if at all possible for you.

I won't be able to participate live as my boy's have a rather large Karate (end of year belt testing and banquet) event on the 7th. I plan to do my retreat the following Monday - Tuesday. I'm looking forward to retreating with you all!

I'll be sitting Rohatsu sesshin with a group in Atlanta from 8-14 Dec. I don't like that I'll miss sitting with y'all, but it was a unique opportunity I couldn't pass up. Having said that, we're all still sitting together.

I'll be sitting Rohatsu sesshin with a group in Atlanta from 8-14 Dec. I don't like that I'll miss sitting with y'all, but it was a unique opportunity I couldn't pass up. Having said that, we're all still sitting together.

Gassho,
Shujin

That's all good, and glad you are sitting a few days with some folks. Gassho, J

I'm in! My band's performing at a benefit concert for those affected by Typhoon Haiyan on the 7th, and I can't kick out my family out of the house anyway so I'll most likely only be able to join live in the early mornings and late evenings. The rest of the schedule I don't know - I'll try to work it out somehow with the recordings.

I am hoping to be able to participate live. I will def be sitting with the recorded. With my job right now it has made it difficult to participate in anything live so far but I am making sure to catch recorded events when I see them. My job role will be changing in the next couple months and I will be able to participate in live events with the Sangha more and more.

I'm in! My band's performing at a benefit concert for those affected by Typhoon Haiyan on the 7th, and I can't kick out my family out of the house anyway so I'll most likely only be able to join live in the early mornings and late evenings. The rest of the schedule I don't know - I'll try to work it out somehow with the recordings.

Rafael

Hi Rafael,

First, a benefit concert for the Typhoon victims is Bodhisattva Work. Lovely.

Next, the Rohatsu Retreat is designed to be sat any place and any time, even if hours, days, weeks or several Kalpa later. So long as the sitting is sat.

I'm very excited! Although I'm not sure if I'll be there the whole day. I'll try my best to be live as with our zazenkais, though never appearing because I have no camera at my convenient disposal. If for some reason this stupid child can help your practice in his formless ways, please do let him help.

A question, though, I'm having trouble navigating through the site, but has there been follow up videos for the rohatsu retreat instructions yet? Sorry for asking. And thank you compassionate friends.

However, the thread is Locked until we near the start time of the Retreat. If you have a question or comment to post in the meantime, please do so here, below in this thread.

IF YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SIT PORTIONS OF THIS RETREAT BY LIVE '2-WAY' VIDEO HANGOUT, PLEASE PM JUNDO PRIOR TO THE START OF THE RETREAT. I will add you to our "ROHATSU 2013" Circle, and you should receive email notification or notification for each unit of the Retreat via our Google+ Page allowing you to join the Hangout.

Please look for the reading materials that will be the subject of Dharma Talks by Jundo and Taigu on Saturday and Sunday, to be posted below in this thread soon.

IT IS LIKELY THAT THE TREELEAF FORUM WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE WEEKEND OF THE RETREAT FOR ALL CONVERSATIONS NOT RELATED TO THE RETREAT!

Follow-up to above... I'm trying to decide how / when best to sit this retreat, and would be curious if any "more experienced" Treeleafers have opinions or experiences to share.

I've been basically planning to sit the schedule as posted, following local time (e.g. starting at 6:00am EST on Saturday). This will mean sitting with recorded sittings most of the time, and "tuning in" to the Live sittings when they sync up.

Alternatively, I can see sitting Day 1, Units 1 and 2 "Live" (on Friday evening for me) to kick off the retreat, and then sitting the rest recorded ("tuning in" to the other live sittings when they sync up).

Anyhow, I can see a lot of different ways to do this, but am not sure which is best. I've cleared everything from my schedule for Friday-Sunday night, so I can do whatever.

Hello Eric, I also agree with Jundo, it is going be nice having you with us. For me, I lock myself in the closet and disconnect everything except the internet. Just kidding!

I like to simplify things for myself, so I set those two days to Rohatsu only, unless an emergency comes up ... that way it allows me to just be and experience to beauty Rohatsu has to offer. I find for myself if I schedule to much that scheduling itself just adds an extra stress that is not needed.

Also I usually keep going until my eye lids say otherwise ... amazing how those little flaps of skin have such power.

Not sure if this helped as I know we all have different schedules and responsibilities.

Gassho
Shingen

RINDO SHINGEN
倫道 真現

As a trainee priest, please take any commentary by me on matters of the Dharma with a pinch of salt.

Thank you Jundo and Shingen. Sounds like I'll probably going to go with my original plan then -- just sit the posted schedule based on local time, but when "live" G+ sittings are available, I'll turn on the camera. E.g. Keep it simple.

Originally Posted by Shingen

Also I usually keep going until my eye lids say otherwise ... amazing how those little flaps of skin have such power.

They are powerful! It is my understanding that you can always just remove them and use them to grow your own camellia sinensis bushes (YMMV)!

Question: I was unable to access the zendo etiquette document mentioned in the guide—is there an alternative link I can access, please? Also, I plan on being live for the whole thing, but I don't want to take a Hangout spot away from someone more deserving, can I be put on the secondary Hangout list, in case you don't have enough ppl joining live atm?

Also, I plan on being live for the whole thing, but I don't want to take a Hangout spot away from someone more deserving, can I be put on the secondary Hangout list, in case you don't have enough ppl joining live atm?

Gassho,

Lisa

There is nobody more deserving. You are on the list with everybody else.

Except for our Ino/Doan (because I require them to be present to lead the Chants), this will be FCFZ ... First Come First Zafu ...

... even though, in a Zen Way, there ain't no "first coming or going".

I will sit with the recorded units.
Saturday there is a a TOKUDO in Boca, Fl., US. that I will attend; then coming home to the two grandchildren duties make it difficult.
But the nights are mine.
This is an exiting time. This angha will save many beings.
Metta to all sanghas thoughout the world sitting Rohatsu!!
Metta to the world for these Holydays!!

"Know that the practice of zazen is the complete path of buddha-dharma and nothing can be compared to it....it is not the practice of one or two buddhas but all the buddha ancestors practice this way."
Dogen zenji in Bendowa

I will sit with the recorded units.
Saturday there is a a TOKUDO in Boca, Fl., US. that I will attend; then coming home to the two grandchildren duties make it difficult.
But the nights are mine.
This is an exiting time. This angha will save many beings.
Metta to all sanghas thoughout the world sitting Rohatsu!!
Metta to the world for these Holydays!!

Ed, is it at Southern Palm? Please say "hi" to Mitch (if he is there), Jane, Gary and all my Boca Buds!

Yes.
I'll tell Doshin you say hi. H
e will confer; and the sangha is all a flutter with this event.
Small but awake group.

"Know that the practice of zazen is the complete path of buddha-dharma and nothing can be compared to it....it is not the practice of one or two buddhas but all the buddha ancestors practice this way."
Dogen zenji in Bendowa

Yes.
I'll tell Doshin you say hi. H
e will confer; and the sangha is all a flutter with this event.
Small but awake group.

Our reciting "Master Haukuin's Song in Praise of Zazen" during the first day of the Rohastsu Retreat each year is dedicated to Doshin. I consider him my mentor, and so much of what we have here at Treeleaf follows what I learned from how he piloted the Southern Palm group.

The Southern Palm chant book is identical to yours. I see the parallells and similarities.

Doshin is a teacher who lets you go, open handed; always a positve attitude to the Dharma, placing his hand beyond our reach in a most compassionate way. He is all about showing the Way; Upaya in person.
He is retiring, doing less, yet it is now when his presence is most inspiring.

I remember meeting you there and your wife.
I'll say hi from you; he always keeps abreast.

"Know that the practice of zazen is the complete path of buddha-dharma and nothing can be compared to it....it is not the practice of one or two buddhas but all the buddha ancestors practice this way."
Dogen zenji in Bendowa